'''[http://mpd.wikia.com MPD]''' ('''m'''usic '''p'''layer '''d'''aemon) is an audio player that has a server-client architecture. It plays audio files, organizes playlists and maintains a music database all while using very few resources. In order to interface with it, a separate [[#Clients|client]] is needed.

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'''[http://www.musicpd.org/ MPD]''' ('''m'''usic '''p'''layer '''d'''aemon) is an audio player that has a server-client architecture. It plays audio files, organizes playlists and maintains a music database all while using very few resources. In order to interface with it, a separate [[#Clients|client]] is needed.

== Installation ==

== Installation ==

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=== Stable version ===

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The latest stable version of {{Pkg|mpd}} is available in the [[official repositories]].

The latest stable version of {{Pkg|mpd}} is available in the [[official repositories]].

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=== Git version ===

Should users wish to run an experimental version, the [[AUR]] offers several from which to choose. For example, {{AUR|mpd-git}}.

Should users wish to run an experimental version, the [[AUR]] offers several from which to choose. For example, {{AUR|mpd-git}}.

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For a proper MPD operation these are the necessary files and directories:

For a proper MPD operation these are the necessary files and directories:

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* mpd.db - The music database

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* database - The music database

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* mpd.pid - The file where mpd stores its process ID

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* pid - The file where mpd stores its process ID

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* mpd.log - mpd logs here

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* log - MPD logs here

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* mpdstate - mpd's current state is noted here

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* state - MPD's current state is noted here

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* playlists - the folder where playlists are saved into

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* playlists - The folder where playlists are saved into

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* sticker.sql - The sticker database

In order for MPD to be able to play back audio, [[ALSA]], [[PulseAudio]] or [[OSS]] needs to be setup and working.

In order for MPD to be able to play back audio, [[ALSA]], [[PulseAudio]] or [[OSS]] needs to be setup and working.

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=== Local Configuration (per user) ===

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=== Local configuration (per user) ===

MPD can be configured per user (rather than the typical method of configuring MPD globally). Running MPD as a normal user has the benefits of:

MPD can be configured per user (rather than the typical method of configuring MPD globally). Running MPD as a normal user has the benefits of:

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To setup: create a directory for the required files and the playlists; copy the example configuration locally; create all of the requisite files:

To setup: create a directory for the required files and the playlists; copy the example configuration locally; create all of the requisite files:

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mkdir -p ~/.mpd/playlists

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$ mkdir -p ~/.mpd/playlists

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cp /usr/share/doc/mpd/mpdconf.example ~/.mpd/mpd.conf

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$ cp /usr/share/doc/mpd/mpdconf.example ~/.mpdconf

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touch ~/.mpd/{database,log,state}

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$ touch ~/.mpd/{database,log,state,pid,sticker.sql}

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Edit {{ic|~/.mpd/mpd.conf}} and specify the requisite files:

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Edit {{ic|~/.mpdconf}} and specify the requisite files:

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{{hc|~/.mpd/mpd.conf|

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{{hc|~/.mpdconf|

music_directory "~/music" # Can keep commented if XDG music dir.

music_directory "~/music" # Can keep commented if XDG music dir.

playlist_directory "~/.mpd/playlists"

playlist_directory "~/.mpd/playlists"

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pid_file "~/.mpd/pid"

pid_file "~/.mpd/pid"

state_file "~/.mpd/state"

state_file "~/.mpd/state"

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sticker_file "~/.mpd/sticker.sql"

}}

}}

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MPD can now be started by typing {{ic|mpd}} on the command line (mpd first searches for {{ic|~/.mpd.conf}}, then {{ic|~/.mpd/mpd.conf}}, and then for {{ic|/etc/mpd.conf}} [there is no support for XDG-config directory {{ic|~/.config/mpd/mpd.conf}}]). To specify the location of the configuration file :

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MPD can now be started by typing {{ic|mpd}} on the command line (mpd first searches for {{ic|~/.mpdconf}}, then {{ic|~/etc/mpd.conf}} [there is no support for XDG-config directory {{ic|~/.config/mpd/mpd.conf}}]). To specify the location of the configuration file :

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mpd ~/.config/mpd/mpd.conf

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mpd /path/to/mpd.conf

To start MPD on login add to {{ic|~/.profile}} (or another [[Autostarting#Shells|Autostart file]]):

To start MPD on login add to {{ic|~/.profile}} (or another [[Autostarting#Shells|Autostart file]]):

# MPD daemon start (if no other user instance exists)

# MPD daemon start (if no other user instance exists)

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[ ! -s ~/.mpd/mpd.pid ] && mpd

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[ ! -s ~/.mpd/pid ] && mpd

To start with the X.org server add to either [[xprofile]] or [[xinitrc]]. Some DEs ignore these files (GNOME does) and a desktop file must be placed in {{ic|~/.config/autostart/mpd.desktop}}:

To start with the X.org server add to either [[xprofile]] or [[xinitrc]]. Some DEs ignore these files (GNOME does) and a desktop file must be placed in {{ic|~/.config/autostart/mpd.desktop}}:

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<pre>[Desktop Entry]

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{{bc|<nowiki>

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[Desktop Entry]

Encoding=UTF-8

Encoding=UTF-8

Type=Application

Type=Application

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Terminal=false

Terminal=false

Hidden=false

Hidden=false

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X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=false</pre>

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X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=false

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</nowiki>}}

==== Autostart with systemd ====

==== Autostart with systemd ====

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{{Note|1=As of 2013-03-20 this functionality is still in development ([https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=1208585 forum thread]). However, there is a workaround though it is peculiar as it requires a running X.org server to work.}}

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{{Note|It is assumed that you already have systemd user-session manager running. See the [[systemd/User]] page for details.}}

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'''Expected setup'''

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The package {{Pkg|mpd}} provides user service file in {{ic|/usr/lib/systemd/user/mpd.service}}. Though it is a symlink to {{ic|/usr/lib/systemd/system/mpd.service}}, the difference is that the process is not started as root. The configuration file {{ic|~/.mpdconf}} is expected to exist (otherwise the global {{ic|/etc/mpd.conf}} is used). You should not use the {{ic|user}} and {{ic|group}} variables in the MPD configuration file, the process already has user permissions and therefore it is not necessary to change them further.

{{Tip|If you don't like the configuration file being in {{ic|~/.mpdconf}}, copy {{ic|/usr/lib/systemd/system/mpd.service}} to {{ic|~/.config/systemd/user/mpd.service}} and edit it to contain the path of your configuration file:

{{Note|Also make sure to disable every other method of starting mpd you used before.}}

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WantedBy=default.target</pre>

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'''Current setup''' (this hasn't worked for everybody)

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==== Scripted configuration ====

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As recommended above, it is best to use MPD as a service per user. In this case, we will use {{ic|~/.mpd/mpd.conf}} and not start mpd.service as a daemon for the whole system and all users.

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Rasi has written a script that will create the proper directory structure, configuration files and prompt for the location of the user's Music directory; it can be downloaded [http://53280.de/dl/mpdsetup.sh here].

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We will NOT use the {{ic|/usr/lib/systemd/system/mpd.service}} which is intended to start the mpd.service as root and for all users.

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{{Note|It is recommended to follow the instructions in the [[Systemd/User]] page fully, and to have your whole session managed by {{ic|systemd --user}}.}}

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=== Global configuration ===

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If you already enabled it, just disable it first:

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{{Warning|Users of PulseAudio with a local mpd have to implement a [[Music Player Daemon/Tips and Tricks#Local (with separate mpd user)|workaround]] in order to run mpd as its own user!}}

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{{bc| # systemctl disable mpd.service}}

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If you used to start mpd inside your {{ic|~/.xinitrc}}, comment or delete the line

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The default Arch install keeps the setup in {{ic|/var/lib/mpd}} and uses ''mpd'' as default user.

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{{bc|mpd ~/.mpdconf}}

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Then, edit a new file ~/.config/systemd/user/mpd.service

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Edit {{ic|/etc/mpd.conf}} to reflect as such:

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{{hc|~/.config/systemd/user/mpd.service|

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{{hc|/etc/mpd.conf|

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[Unit]

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music_directory "/path/to/music/dir"

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Description &#61; Music Player Daemon

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playlist_directory "/var/lib/mpd/playlists"

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db_file "/var/lib/mpd/mpd.db"

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log_file "syslog"

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pid_file "/run/mpd/mpd.pid"

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state_file "/var/lib/mpd/mpdstate"

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user "mpd"

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}}

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[Service]

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We just configured MPD to run as the ''mpd'' user, but {{ic|/var/lib/mpd}} is owned by ''root'' by default, we need to change this so ''mpd'' can write here:

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ExecStart &#61; /usr/bin/mpd --no-daemon

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# chown -R mpd /var/lib/mpd

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Restart &#61; always

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[Install]

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==== Music directory ====

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WantedBy &#61; default.target

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}}

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Then, add this line to [[xinitrc|.xinitrc]] before any exec <session-command>

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MPD needs to have {{ic|+x}} permissions on ''all'' parent directories to the music collection (ie. if it's located outside of {{ic|/var/lib/mpd}}). Thus users will most likely need to remount the music directory under a directory that mpd has access to -- this only applies if running as the 'mpd' user.

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{{hc|~/.xinitrc|

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#run systemd as user instance

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systemd --user &

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}}

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Log out, log in your xsession.

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# mkdir /var/lib/mpd/music

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Let's first check mpd is not running. If yes, just kill it. If not, continue to the next step.

Also see [https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=86449 this forum thread].

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Now, enable and start mpd.service as per user

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An additional solution would be to just create a symbolic link into {{ic|/var/lib/mpd/music}}.

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$ systemctl --user enable mpd

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# mkdir /var/lib/mpd/music

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$ systemctl --user start mpd

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# ln -s /path/to/music/dir /var/lib/mpd/music/

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Check the mpd status and see if mpd.service is correctly enabled and started

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If the music collection is contained under multiple directories, create symbolic links under the main music directory in {{ic|/var/lib/mpd}}. Remember to set permissions accordingly on the directories being linked.

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{{bc|$ systemctl --user status mpd}}

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==== Scripted Configuration ====

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Rasi has written a script that will create the proper directory structure, configuration files and prompt for the location of the user's Music directory; it can be downloaded [http://53280.de/dl/mpdsetup.tar here].

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=== Global Configuration ===

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==== Start MPD ====

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{{Note|For user-specific permissions, change the "user" line above to reflect one of the system users.}}

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{{Warning|Users of PulseAudio with a local mpd have to implement a [[Music Player Daemon/Tips and Tricks#Local (with separate mpd user)|workaround]] in order to run mpd as its own user!}}

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MPD comes with an example configuration file, available at {{ic|/usr/share/doc/mpd/mpdconf.example}}. This file holds an abundance of information on MPD configuration, and holds default mixer values.

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MPD can be controlled with the ''mpd'' [[daemon]]. The first startup can take some time as MPD will scan your music directory.

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Normally,{{ic|/etc/mpd.conf}} is created when installing mpd. If not, copy the included example file to {{ic|/etc/mpd.conf}}.

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Test everything by starting a client application ({{Pkg|ncmpc}} is a light and easy to use client), and play some music!

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# cp /usr/share/doc/mpd/mpdconf.example /etc/mpd.conf

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==== Editing mpd.conf ====

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==== Configure audio ====

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The default Arch install keeps the setup in {{ic|/var/lib/mpd}} and uses "mpd" as default user.

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Edit {{ic|/etc/mpd.conf}} to reflect as such:

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{{hc|/etc/mpd.conf|

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music_directory "/home/user/music"

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playlist_directory "/var/lib/mpd/playlists"

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db_file "/var/lib/mpd/mpd.db"

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log_file "/var/log/mpd/mpd.log"

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pid_file "/run/mpd/mpd.pid"

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state_file "/var/lib/mpd/mpdstate"

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user "mpd"

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# bind_to_address "127.0.0.1"

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# port "6600"

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}}

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Now change permissions for mpd to write to {{ic|/var/log/mpd/mpd.log}}, otherwise mpd will return an error when it is started. The best way is to make the {{ic|/var/log/mpd/mpd.log}} belong to the mpd [[Users and Groups#Group management|user]].

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# chown -R mpd /var/log/mpd

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Run this to create the /run/mpd dir:

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# systemd-tmpfiles --create mpd.conf

To change the volume for mpd independent from other programs, uncomment or add this switch in mpd.conf:

To change the volume for mpd independent from other programs, uncomment or add this switch in mpd.conf:

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{{hc|/etc/mpd.conf|

{{hc|/etc/mpd.conf|

mixer_type "software"

mixer_type "software"

}}

}}

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Users of [[PulseAudio]] will need to make the following modification:

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Users of [[ALSA]] will want to have the following device definition, which allows software volume control in the MPD client to control the volume separately from other applications.

{{hc|/etc/mpd.conf|2=

{{hc|/etc/mpd.conf|2=

audio_output {

audio_output {

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type "pulse"

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type "alsa"

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name "pulse audio"

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name "My Sound Card"

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mixer_type "software" # optional

}

}

}}

}}

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Users of [[ALSA]] will want to have the following device definition, which allows software volume control in the MPD client to control the volume separately from other applications.

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Users of [[PulseAudio]] will need to make the following modification:

{{hc|/etc/mpd.conf|2=

{{hc|/etc/mpd.conf|2=

audio_output {

audio_output {

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type "alsa"

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type "pulse"

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name "My Sound Card"

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name "pulse audio"

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mixer_type "software" # optional

}

}

}}

}}

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==== Changing user ====

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{{Note|This is only required if you change the user!}}

Changing the group that MPD runs as may result in errors like "output: Failed to open "My ALSA Device"" "[alsa]: Failed to open ALSA device "default": No such file or directory" "player_thread: problems opening audio device while playing "Song Name.mp3""

Changing the group that MPD runs as may result in errors like "output: Failed to open "My ALSA Device"" "[alsa]: Failed to open ALSA device "default": No such file or directory" "player_thread: problems opening audio device while playing "Song Name.mp3""

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This is because by default MPD runs as member of '''audio''' group and the sound devices under {{Ic|/dev/snd/}} are owned by this group, so add user {{Ic|mpd}} to group {{Ic|audio}}.

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This is because by default MPD runs as member of '''audio''' group and the sound devices under {{Ic|/dev/snd/}} are owned by this group, so add user {{Ic|mpd}} to group {{Ic|audio}}:

# gpasswd -a mpd audio

# gpasswd -a mpd audio

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===== Music directory =====

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==== Timeline of MPD startup ====

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MPD needs to have {{ic|+x}} permissions on ''all'' parent directories to the music collection (ie. if it's located outside of "mpd" home directory {{ic|/var/lib/mpd}}). By default useradd sets permissions on home directories to {{ic|1700 drwx------}}. Thus users will most likely need to remount the music directory under a directory that mpd has access to -- this only applies if running as the 'mpd' user.

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# mkdir /var/lib/mpd/music

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# echo "/home/$USER/music /var/lib/mpd/music none bind" >> /etc/fstab

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# mount -a

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# systemctl restart mpd.service

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Also see [https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=86449 this forum thread.]

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An additional solution would be to just create a symbolic link into {{ic|/var/lib/mpd/music}}.

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# mkdir /var/lib/mpd/music

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# ln -s MUSIC_FOLDER /var/lib/mpd/music/

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# systemctl restart mpd.service

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If the music collection is contained under multiple directories, create symbolic links under the main music directory in {{ic|/var/lib/mpd}}. Remember to set permissions accordingly on the directories being linked.

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==== Creating the required files ====

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Now, having finished configuring MPD, the files and directories for MPD to write in need to be created:

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Create the directories and files specified in {{ic|/etc/mpd.conf}}:

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# mkdir -p /var/lib/mpd/playlists

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# touch /var/lib/mpd/{mpd.db,mpdstate}

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Usually the init-script should properly create {{ic|/run/mpd/}} when starting. The daemon will use this directory to create {{ic|mpd.pid}} in it. However, when running mpd as a different user, requires an update to the tmpfiles.d: copy {{ic|/usr/lib/tmpfiles.d/mpd.conf}} to {{ic|/etc/tmpfiles.d/mpd.conf}}:

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Change:

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d /run/mpd 0755 mpd mpd

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to:

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d /run/mpd 0755 ''username'' ''groupname''

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Change the file's permissions so that the daemon can modify them.

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# chown -R mpd /var/lib/mpd

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==== Create database ====

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Creating the database is now accomplished via the update feature of the client, for example {{ic|mpc update}}. You'll need to install the mpc package for this. It is in the official repositories

*{{App|gmpc|GTK2 frontend for Music Player Daemon. It is designed to be lightweight and easy to use, while providing full access to all of MPD's features. Users are presented with several different methods to browse through their music. It can be extended by plugins, of which many are available.|http://gmpc.wikia.com/wiki/Gnome_Music_Player_Client|{{Pkg|gmpc}}}}

*{{App|Dmpc|Dmenu-based MPC client with a playlist manager and state-saving on playlist changes|http://wintervenom.mine.nu/|{{AUR|dmpc}}}}

*{{App|Dmpc|Dmenu-based MPC client with a playlist manager and state-saving on playlist changes|http://wintervenom.mine.nu/|{{AUR|dmpc}}}}

*{{App|Cantata|High-feature, Qt4/KDE4 client for MPD with very configurable interface|https://code.google.com/p/cantata/|{{AUR|cantata-qt}}}}

*{{App|Cantata|High-feature, Qt4/KDE4 client for MPD with very configurable interface|https://code.google.com/p/cantata/|{{AUR|cantata-qt}}}}

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=== Web ===

=== Web ===

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*{{App|Patchfork|web client for MPD written in PHP and Ajax|http://mpd.wikia.com/wiki/Client:Pitchfork|{{AUR|patchfork-git}}}}.

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See a long list of clients at the [http://mpd.wikia.com/wiki/Clients mpd wiki].

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*{{App|Patchfork|Web client for MPD written in PHP and Ajax|http://mpd.wikia.com/wiki/Client:Pitchfork|{{AUR|patchfork-git}}}}.

MPD (music player daemon) is an audio player that has a server-client architecture. It plays audio files, organizes playlists and maintains a music database all while using very few resources. In order to interface with it, a separate client is needed.

Installation

Should users wish to run an experimental version, the AUR offers several from which to choose. For example, mpd-gitAUR.

Setup

MPD is able to run locally (per user settings), globally (settings apply to all users), and in multiple instances. The way of setting up mpd depends on the way it is intended to be used: a local configuration may prove more useful on a desktop system, for example.

For a proper MPD operation these are the necessary files and directories:

database - The music database

pid - The file where mpd stores its process ID

log - MPD logs here

state - MPD's current state is noted here

playlists - The folder where playlists are saved into

sticker.sql - The sticker database

In order for MPD to be able to play back audio, ALSA, PulseAudio or OSS needs to be setup and working.

Local configuration (per user)

MPD can be configured per user (rather than the typical method of configuring MPD globally). Running MPD as a normal user has the benefits of:

A single directory ~/.mpd (or any other directory under /home/$USER/) that will contain all the MPD configuration files.

Easier to avoid unforeseen read/write permission errors.

To setup: create a directory for the required files and the playlists; copy the example configuration locally; create all of the requisite files:

MPD can now be started by typing mpd on the command line (mpd first searches for ~/.mpdconf, then ~/etc/mpd.conf [there is no support for XDG-config directory ~/.config/mpd/mpd.conf]). To specify the location of the configuration file :

Autostart with systemd

Note: It is assumed that you already have systemd user-session manager running. See the systemd/User page for details.

The package mpd provides user service file in /usr/lib/systemd/user/mpd.service. Though it is a symlink to /usr/lib/systemd/system/mpd.service, the difference is that the process is not started as root. The configuration file ~/.mpdconf is expected to exist (otherwise the global /etc/mpd.conf is used). You should not use the user and group variables in the MPD configuration file, the process already has user permissions and therefore it is not necessary to change them further.

Tip: If you don't like the configuration file being in ~/.mpdconf, copy /usr/lib/systemd/system/mpd.service to ~/.config/systemd/user/mpd.service and edit it to contain the path of your configuration file:

~/.config/systemd/user/mpd.service

...
ExecStart=/usr/bin/mpd --no-daemon /path/to/your/mpd.conf
...

All you have to do is enable and start the user service:

$ systemctl --user enable mpd
$ systemctl --user start mpd

Note: Also make sure to disable every other method of starting mpd you used before.

Scripted configuration

Rasi has written a script that will create the proper directory structure, configuration files and prompt for the location of the user's Music directory; it can be downloaded here.

Global configuration

Warning: Users of PulseAudio with a local mpd have to implement a workaround in order to run mpd as its own user!

The default Arch install keeps the setup in /var/lib/mpd and uses mpd as default user.

We just configured MPD to run as the mpd user, but /var/lib/mpd is owned by root by default, we need to change this so mpd can write here:

# chown -R mpd /var/lib/mpd

Music directory

MPD needs to have +x permissions on all parent directories to the music collection (ie. if it's located outside of /var/lib/mpd). Thus users will most likely need to remount the music directory under a directory that mpd has access to -- this only applies if running as the 'mpd' user.

If the music collection is contained under multiple directories, create symbolic links under the main music directory in /var/lib/mpd. Remember to set permissions accordingly on the directories being linked.

Start MPD

MPD can be controlled with the mpddaemon. The first startup can take some time as MPD will scan your music directory.

Test everything by starting a client application (ncmpc is a light and easy to use client), and play some music!

Configure audio

To change the volume for mpd independent from other programs, uncomment or add this switch in mpd.conf:

/etc/mpd.conf

mixer_type "software"

Users of ALSA will want to have the following device definition, which allows software volume control in the MPD client to control the volume separately from other applications.

Changing user

Note: This is only required if you change the user!

Changing the group that MPD runs as may result in errors like "output: Failed to open "My ALSA Device"" "[alsa]: Failed to open ALSA device "default": No such file or directory" "player_thread: problems opening audio device while playing "Song Name.mp3""

This is because by default MPD runs as member of audio group and the sound devices under /dev/snd/ are owned by this group, so add user mpd to group audio:

# gpasswd -a mpd audio

Timeline of MPD startup

To depict when MPD drops its superuser privileges and assumes those of the user set in the configuration, the timeline of a normal MPD startup is listed here:

Since MPD is started as root by systemd, it first reads the /etc/mpd.conf file.

MPD reads the user variable in the /etc/mpd.conf file, and changes from root to this user.

MPD then reads the contents of the /etc/mpd.conf file and configures itself accordingly.

Notice that MPD changes the running user from root to the one named in the /etc/mpd.conf file.
This way, uses of ~ in the configuration file point correctly to the home user's directory, and not root's directory.
It may be worthwhile to change all uses of ~ to /home/username to avoid any confusion over this aspect of MPD's behavior.

Multi-mpd setup

Useful if running an icecast server.

For a second MPD (e.g., with icecast output to share music over the network) using the same music and playlist as the one above, simply copy the above configuration file and make a new file (e.g., /home/username/.mpd/config-icecast), and only change the log_file, error_file, pid_file, and state_file parameters (e.g., mpd-icecast.log, mpd-icecast.error, and so on); using the same directory paths for the music and playlist directories would ensure that this second mpd would use the same music collection as the first one e.g., creating and editing a playlist under the first daemon would affect the second daemon as well. Users do not have to create the same playlists all over again for the second daemon. Call this second daemon the same way from ~/.xinitrc above. (Just be sure to have a different port number, so as to not conflict with the first mpd daemon).

Clients

A separate client is needed to control mpd. See a long list of clients at the mpd wiki. Popular options are:

gmpc — GTK2 frontend for Music Player Daemon. It is designed to be lightweight and easy to use, while providing full access to all of MPD's features. Users are presented with several different methods to browse through their music. It can be extended by plugins, of which many are available.